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If I had any input in the Jewish calendar, which I do not, I would have shared the thought that the month of Tishrei is far too overprogrammed. We have Rosh Hashanah on the 1^st and 2^nd, Yom Kippur on the 10^th, Sukkot on the 15-22 and Simchat Torah on the 23^rd. By the time we have concluded this seemingly non-stop run of hagim, we need a break! 

I do believe that Sukkot predates Judaism, it being the fall harvest festival, much in the same way Pesach and Shavuot are harvest festivals as well. We adopted them and transformed them into Jewish festivals focusing on gratitude to God for the harvest, with the added element of the Exodus from Egypt. Sadly, that is not the end of the commemorations, especially in the next case, for Pittsburgh. 10.27 has become the annual commemoration date for so many, especially all our gentile friends who mourn with us. But as is the case with all solar dates that recall the death of loved ones, we also mark the occasion with the lunar date, the yahrtzeit, which falls on the 18^th of Heshvan, which will be November 8 of this year. 

Now, alas, we have an additional date added to our calendar: October 7, 2023. With all the hostages not returned to their loved ones, although we hope that the latest peace overtures will be successful, we await direction from the State of Israel in how and when October 7 will be remembered. I know that there will be commemorations in Israel and across the globe on that date. We will be observing the date belatedly, since October 7 is still Yom Tov. But what of the Hebrew date, which will always be on Shemini Atzeret? Will observances coalesce around this date too? Until further guidance emanates from Israel, I have chosen to add this observance to our already full Yizkor observances of that day. Yes, it makes for an emotionally intense part of the service, as we recall first our eleven victims of 10.27, then the victims of 10.7, and then all our loved ones. But remember we must, as it is our duty, an obligation that we wish we did not have. 

In my youth, even though the Hebrew month of Heshvan (which is the month after Tishrei) has historically been called Marheshvan, meaning “bitter Heshvan” because there were no holidays during the month, I used to abstain from that adjective, grateful that the slew of Jewish holidays in Tishrei were over. Sadly, since 10.27, Heshvan has indeed become mar. I continue to hold hope, as it says at the end of Psalm 27, which we will soon conclude reciting: Hope in God, be strong and of courage; hope in God. I remain hopeful that there will be a positive resolution to the hostages and life in Israel. That Israeli and Palestinian children can one day play in the sunshine without any worries, but not separately – together, in peace.